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Government Internet Surveillance Up

Harvey Manfrenjensenton writes "According to this story at Newhouse News Service, the assault on Americans' rights known as the Patriot Act, passed by Congress in October, has produced results that are as disturbing -- and rampant -- as could have been anticipated. Law enforcement used to need a court order to tap your phone, read your mail, etc. Now they just need a whim. ISP's and Telcos can barely keep up with the volume of requests by Feds wanting to read your email." EFF's analysis of the Patriot Act is good reading.

16 of 368 comments (clear)

  1. Only 18 years behind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmm, we're only a little over 18 years behind Big Brother's forcasted schedule...Next we'll have video cameras on top of our computer monitors and TV screens...
    What's that on top my monitor? A Web Cam! NOOOOOOOO! It has begun.

  2. Not a joke? by twentycavities · · Score: 2, Funny


    Wow. I thought the whole "patriot act" thing was a joke.

    Don't forget to register as a patriot!

    --
    Monstromart: Where shopping is a baffling ordeal
  3. Obvious... by Drakula · · Score: 2, Funny

    At first I thought it was wierd that there was no "OBVIOUS" tag in front of this headline. Then I realized this isn't FARK...

    --
    "It's comin' back around again..." -RATM
  4. Interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I didn't notice any increased surviellance.

    Hey...if they wanna see my nudie pic collection...that's their business...it's not like I encrypt the fucking things.

  5. well what do we expect... by PhunkyOne · · Score: 2, Funny

    This ties in wonderfully with the brilliant idea from the Feds to use Microsoft Passport. One really bad idea deserves a companion.

  6. Canada... by YoungHack · · Score: 3, Funny

    At Truman State University there were fliers put up for a "town meeting" to discuss the then-new Patriat Act. I don't think I'll ever forget them. They said in large words:

    CANADA
    Looking better than ever...

    1. Re:Canada... by robsmama · · Score: 0, Funny

      YES, please go soon..

      MOM

  7. Re:Good. by quantaman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Has anyone else noticed this quote showing up a lot? I havn't

    And this is only the edge of the iceberg!

    --
    I stole this Sig
  8. Re:It is not about reading your e-mail by 56ker · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well 95% of the mail I get is junk mail - so they can read that all they like!

  9. Re:Perhaps there's a silver lining by Dave21212 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "The problem that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face is not insufficient information -- "they are choking on information,"

    Good point.

    It sounds as if the FBI is browsing the world at -1

    --
    "Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech."--Benjamin Franklin
  10. Nazification of America by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Pretty soon we'll have to have microchips embedded into our bodies telling the "man" when and where we take a shit.

  11. Back-Masking on Celine Dion MP3's!!! by simetra · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's how real terrorists communicate, they record their secret memos on Celine Dion MP3's. You can only hear them if you play them backwards. Try it and see for yourself!

    --

    "Would it kill you to put down the toilet seat?" -- Maya Angelou
  12. Ehh, I know its a big deal by kingharrison · · Score: 2, Funny

    But do they really want to read all the spam pr0n mail I get? I dont even bother reading it.

  13. Re:It is "USA PATRIOT Act" not "Patriot Act" by midas2000 · · Score: 2, Funny

    and also, who's gonna vote "no" to something called "usa patriot act."

    it's almost nauseating how obviously the name of the act is meant to manipulate people's opinions of it. if you say it's bad, then you hate america. blarg.

    cheers,
    -midas (www.haduken.com)

    --
    maybe we're born with it, maybe it's haduken.
  14. Re:Good. by achurch · · Score: 5, Funny
  15. Re:It is "USA PATRIOT Act" not "Patriot Act" by Ed+Avis · · Score: 2, Funny

    Coming soon from your friendly legislator:

    - The Motherhood and Apple Pie Act
    - The God Bless America Act
    - The Will Somebody Please Think About The Children Act
    - The Digital Millenium... oh no they've used that one already.

    --
    -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com